Electric fixture-switch.



H. 1. MOREY.

ELECTRIC FIXTURE SWITCH.. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1916 Patented Feb. 25, 1919,

2 SHEETS-SHEEY I.

H. J. MOREY. ELECTRIC FIXTURE swncH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1916. 1,295,563. Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 A A X? HARRY a. mone or SYRACUSE,

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PASS & SEYMOUR, INC., 01!:

SOLVAY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC FIXTURE-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

- Application filed March 7, 1916. Serial No. 82,673.

To all whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY J. MOREY, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, Onondaga count State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Fixture-Switches, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric switches and has particular reference .to improvements in pull fixture switches such as are supported on ceilings to suspend fixtures or incandescent lamps.

The object of the invention is to generally improve devices of the above character so that the switching mechanism may be used for heavy currents.

Another object of the invention is to design a switch of this type which may be attached to an ordinary outlet box and serve as acover therefor. and to provide a device which may be readily wiredfrom the front of the box.

The above and other objects and the novel features of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a fixture switch embodyin my invention secured in place on a ceiling;

Fig. 2 1s a plan view of the same with the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the base of the supportin body and showing the cap part removed herefrom and in bottom plan view; j V

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the cavity in the block and the parts fixed in the cavity;

Fi 5 is a detail plan view of the switch member and ratchet disk in the cavity of the insulating base; I

Fig. 6 ,is a cross sectional view of the switch taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fi 7 is a cross sectional view of the sWitc at right angles to the section of Fig. 6 and taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is a dropped perspective view of the switch member and associated parts.

are of insulating material such as Referring to the drawing, the supporting body for the switch comprises a base member 10,v and. a cap member 11, both of which orcelain.

The base member 10 is circular in outline and is adapted to serve as a cover for an out let box, such as the box 12, shown in Fig. 1,

the holes 13 in the base 10 serving to receive screws by means of which the base is secured to the flange at the open end of the outlet box. The base member 10 is provided with a central cavity 14 which is provided with a transversely extending second cavity or depression 15. The base 10 also has two openings 16 on opposite sides of the cavity 14 and extending through the base. Between the central cavity 14 and the cavities 16 there are projections 17 upon which the terminal plates 18 are mounted. The terminal plates 18 are secured to the base by the screws 181 and are provided with binding screws 19. The terminal plates 18 also have parts 20 which extend into the cavity 14 and serve as switch contact faces. The line wires 21 may be drawn from the outlet box through the openings 16 and hooked over the projections 1? and plates 18 from the front of the base 10. The cap part 11 is provided with recesses 111 on opposite sides thereof which register with the binding screws 19 so that the latter may be turned when the cap is secured in place on the base. The cap 11 is mounted in contact with the rests 112 which surround the cavity 14 on the base.

The bottom of the transverse cavity 15 has a pair of flat steel springs 22 therein, the springs resting at their edges on the bottom of the cavity. The opposite ends of the springs are secured to the base 10 by means of the plates 24 and the screws 25. The springs 2:2 are spaced apart and at the center an angular snapping cam 26 is held between them. The snapping camis shown in perspective in Fig. 8 and consists of a single piece of metal which. has a square base part 27 and two upturned ends 28. The :1 turned ends are provided with pairs of shou ders 29 and 30 to form sections 31 and 32, res ectively. on those-ends of different heig ts, for a purpose to be described. The base 27 of the cam member 26 has a central opening to receive the spindle 33 which is set 11 right in a socket in the bottom of the dgpression 15.

The spindle also extends through the opening 3-1 at the center of an insulating d k 35 which carries the elongated arcuate culKlllCiOl'S 36 on opposite sides thereof. The disk 35 and conductors thereon constitute the switch member of the device. The construction of the switch member will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 8. On opposite sides of the center the disk 35 has pairs of radial slots37 38, the slot 37 opening to the. periphery of the disk. The conducting member 36 consists of a single strip of copper which is wound through the slots 37 and 38 and bent so as to fit against the flat ed together and extend from one face to the opposite face of the switch member. Near the center on opposite sides of the opening 3t the disk 35 has rectangular slots 39 of sutticient length to pass over the reduced portions 31 at the ends of the cam member 26 and are arranged torest on the shoulders 29. This forms a rigid connection between the cam member and the switch member so that these two parts will move together when the cam is rotated.

The means for rotating the cam member consists of a ratchet disk 40 and a ratchet lever 41. The ratchet disk 40 is provided at its periphery with the four notches 42 spaced equal distances apart around the edge of the disk. At its center the disk 40 ram member 26.

spindle The spindle carries a sleeve 52 has a hole 43 to fit the spindle. and on opposite sides of the hole 43 are shorter rectangular s ots 44 adapted to tit the narrow portions 32 at opposite ends of the The slots 14 are of sub stantiall the same length as the width of the parts 3:2 of theram and the disk 40 will therefore rest on the shoulders 31) and above the insulating disk 35. The. ratchet lever -11 consists of a substantiallv central part 45 and an arm 46 integrally connected therewith the arm terminating at the outer end in a lug 47. provided with a slot and opening 48 to receive the end ball of a chain or cord 49. by means of which the lever is operated. [it the center of the part 45 the lever 41 has an opening 50 which fits the 33. At the outer edge of the part 45 there is an integral lug 51 which is adapted to engage any one of the notches 42 in the edge ot'the disk 40 to rotate the latter. at itsaipper end provided with a head 53. The upper side of the head 53 is provided with a transverse slot and also has openings 55 therethrough for receiving the end 56 of the spring 57. which is wound spirallv around the sleeve and the spindle 33 The opposite end 58 of the spring is hooked and engages a hook 59 struck from the part 45 of'the operating lever 41. The spring when properly tcnsioned, is designed to restore the operating lever to its normal posi tion and cause the lug 51 to engage in the next notch 12 to the rear of the one disengaged.

The cap part 11 is provided with a central opening 60 and around the inner ed of the opening 60 there is a square shoul sr 61 to receive the head 53 and prevent it from turning. The cap part 11 18 secured to the base part 10 by the screws 62 passing through the openings 621 and when so secured in plain the head 53 may be engaged through the opening 60 and turned to sufliciently tension the s ring 57.

The inner side of t e cap part 11 has the ,spring fingers 63 secured thereto by screws 64 which pass through one end of the tin ers 63, the opposite ends 65 of the fingers be i bent away from the face of the cap and aving a sufficient degree of resiliency to engage the conductors 36 of the switc member. The secured ends of the fingers are set in grooves 66 inthe face of the cap member 11. The screws 64 pass through the body of the cap member 11 and the outer ends thereof engage the branch terminal plates 67 and hold them in position in recesses 68 in the outer face of the cap. The branch terminal plates 67 are provided with binding screws (39' by means of which the lamp cord 01; branch circuit wires may be electrically connected to the plates 67. The cap member 11 is provided atopposite sides thereof with integral'hooks 70, the grooves 71 of which face toward the base 10. The

hooks 70 are provided so that the cord connected to the branch terminal plates 67 may be wound over them to relieve the strain and prevent it: from breaking the connection at the binding screws.

The operating col-d4!) is-guided by a groove 74 in the outer face of the base 10 and the chain cord passes through a guide funnel 7-7 secured by a screw 76 to the base 10 adjacent the outer end of the groove 74. The front face of the device is inclosed by a bell shaped metal shell 77 which is provided on opposite sides with holes to receive the buttons 78 on spring fingers 79 secured to the base 10 on opposite sides of its center. The buttons 78.3w deprcssibh and when it is desired to remove the shell 77 they are dis-,

engaged by pressing them inwardly and pulling down on the shell. Tn mum replace the shell it is only lie 10 register the buttons 78 with the openings in the shell and press upwardly lllltlltllt! buttons snap into place. lhe shell will then be supported from the base It) by the springs 79 and but- Wei C i lever l-the cam member 26 is turned and tween the off :lZHlOll pass. at which point the (liag 4321;11'26 will move i'a i.(lly ailing (ha ll'lllf faces of "(he springs 22 and the cam Will he suddenly snapped i thenexl position cartying with it the switch mamber anal switch memhr is and prevents injurious arcing at iacts -When the (or-(l CGii'ili'ClEll tr, 54-1 18 i'elsassii fhe spring 57 realm salain g malarial l'fitcllelldlfw'li; This suclden navemenia 01 an important fe" makes and breaks Hie C1Xl1lil i iu r nal pnsitimi. Al lhe swatch i: insulating (ilSZ 35 e .lijei'ivvm llw switch contasls @UVliiGi "portions 20 of lgha terminal plates 01 a base and the switch contacts provided ivy ilio 'enlls G5 ofthe fingers on the piecza: ll. Vllliili Ihaw shown and iiescr lwii ilw mash-action in (lemil if (l0 nc-i; :vi :0 he limited in tha'xacl' imm \YSCiOMll as il will liay'clem' that various changes may he FP- sorted m Without departing iromfhv spirit This invention i'lav iiig thus clesn-rihwl iho what is clainmal and (lesii'ml i0 hi IIK'H'PY'S Patent is:

in an elovl'i'ic switch. lhv mmliinalimi (if a siippari comprising lam lilmlis of iiisex-mod tog'vlhvr aml having: a $911M. lwls'mai them; line terminals mi (me m said him-ks. ('llCllll' terminals an the other; hlocli. a switch mmnhm' Comprising an insulating disk flllf')"lli mmlui tars for 9011- ii veiilimi. sc-fiiireil by HGOllHfl the line terminals with the vircuil' terminals. and-moans npcraling said swilvh membm' cmiiprising' means for intvw milteatly imparting lo the switch znmnnor a partial turn aml means for snapping llm switch member before the owl oi earh parlial turn.

2. In an PlPClllO switch. lliv mmhinatinn of a base of insulating material having a central cavify and awnings miniplvioly,surrmlmled by tho insulating material and 0X- temling through the bass (in n -ipositisiilos 0f the cmitra! Cavity, thi'migi which openings the line wires arv avcvssihlv from tho front: of tho hasv. lino vlm'n'iinals pmviilwl with securing svrows and lnvalwl lmiwwn said opvnings and Pa vily aiul having portions vxtvmiii gr info llw Pavily l0 sci-v0 as SWltlll Contact Far-0s. a va nwmhoi' of insulating: mathrial swan-ml to said hasv aml (losing lha cavity llivrvin-lml mil r'nwring lluopvnings n'ui' thv Hli'lWS .of tho linv iflrminals. Swill-h mntavt faves on Htllli cap 0I-Ilfll llllg into llw spavv lwlwvvn lhv 0a am! llllfil. hramli (ir- (nil ll-rminals OI] tlw mp l-mnwcl'ml in tho n J races 0s 5. m

iiniisil my member in the cavity, a sjwitci epm'a'ling said swil'oh mcmhi mum fmm The cavily, and a hall ('liain ai'achid i said le el; said base having a groove the mile? (alga lliuleo'f to guide said chain.

in an. (lei- Tic s'wiich. the combination of an insulating base having; a (antral cav it anal line terminals at o'ppnsi te sides said cavity, said i'oi-iniiials being pmviclerl with sei-urmgz scrmvs. and having parts projecting info the cavity to switch conlllll" faves lherein, a pair of spaved cal-mil springs semired in the imam (if said aviny, a spiniii-a mounted at. ifiiial as 1-01. said can ilgv, an angular ram member Xl'wlmiflil on said spindle and located between saiii springs, a swiirsh member f-ilKlliGll to said mun men her, a'ratchel, (lisk SQQHEQ'Cl to the (cam mam-- her, and a IillKllel lever for rotating the rat/shah lilfiixl'.

In a clevii-e of the class (luscrihe, the vomhiiialimi (if a base of insulaiing material consfilaiting an mitlel, hox vows:- and having a vavity in ivhe outer face l-heranf. said base alsa having apenings t-liercihi'uugh at the siilvs (if said cavity, pminiiling amwss in tho line Wires *Fmm the from of H10 base, line terminals (in said base acljaumt said 0pmings and pi'm'iilml will! pm'tim'is amending ends provi heights from the bottom of the idle and siippo into said cavity to form switch contact faces, branch circuit terminals, and means for electrically connecting the branch circuit terminals with the line terminals comprising a switch member in said ravifhlvln conductors adapted to engage t esw'ifieh contact faces on the line terminals, on means for rotating said switch member.

7. In an electric switch, the combination of a base having'a cavity therein, a pair of springs secured in the bottom of the cavity and seed apart intermediate their ends, a

spin 0 mounted in the cavity, a cam member carriedb the s dle and located hetween the ri sai d cam member having with shoulders at diflerent switch member having a recess to spindle and adapted to be supportee 1 lower shoulders of the cam ratchet disk havi the switch member, end-a. lever fitting the sipindle and adapted to rotate the ratchet isk, cam member and switch member; Y

8. In an electric switch, the combination of a base of insulating material having a cavity, switch contact faces in said cavity having terminals, spring plates secured at oppositeends in the bottom of said cavity, a vertical spindle at the center of mid cavity, an an lar cam member between said springs an mounted on said spindle, said A, cam member comprising a plate having u wardly bent ends, said upwardly bent en s a being narrower at the top than at the base,

a switch member having contact faoes ads ed to gutlhe switch base, an 1 g rovided with openi to receive the spin e andthevupwardl nt ends of the cam member. a ratchet di havcontact faces on t is a recess fitti ths's r on the shoul sa e 0 hi ada tedtoreoeivethe indle i i it zup v v ardly tendsofthecan i mlnher, and an operating lever m tinted on lid spindle for 9. Inaneleetncmtchthecombmahon of ssupport com two blocks of insulating material ingaspaoebetweentheimline r circuit terminals on said support, a switch contact on each of said bloqh into the space between thebloc ks, a switch munber comp an disk elongated electrically connected conductors between the members of each pair of slots and having a ion thereof extending throfi one of to hold and strip in p v 11. A switch H p H comprising a circular' disk of mg material having, .formed therem w of spaced, substantially radial slots, one member of each air opening the periphery of the and a stri o conductin materiel woun over both of thedisk weenthemembars of each pair of slots,.for

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